Pro wrestlers, we love to hate

In the world of professional wrestling, there are certain characters that fans just love to hate. These wrestlers have mastered the art of playing the villain and evoke strong emotions from the audience. From their arrogant demeanor to their underhanded tactics, they relish in being the bad guys. Some of the most iconic villains include “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, who flaunted his wealth and looked down on others, and Triple H, known for his cunning and manipulative ways. These wrestlers may be despised in the ring, but their ability to generate heat and create captivating storylines is what makes them unforgettable.

Most Hated Wrestlers of All Time

CM Punk

CM Punk was one of WWE’s greatest performers, known for his amazing mic skills and talent in the ring. Fans were heartbroken when WWE released him despite his numerous title opportunities. It was surprising to learn that Punk was dissatisfied with the company, despite his success. In his promos, he often complained about losing matches and titles to part-timers. Even after his release, CM Punk continued to criticize WWE and urged fans to boycott their events. His departure left a lasting impact on the wrestling community.

Sgt. Slaughter

For 15 years, wrestling fans had mixed feelings about Sgt. Slaughter. He portrayed an all-American character, but things took a drastic turn when he betrayed the United States. He became the most hated wrestler after aligning with an Iraqi manager resembling Saddam Hussein, the US’s top enemy at the time. Wrestling fans saw him as an Iraqi sympathizer. Despite winning the WWF Championship by defeating the Ultimate Warrior, SGT. Slaughter faced the wrath of fans who insulted and threw objects at him. His character change sparked intense emotions in the wrestling world.

Vince McMahon

Similar to the “Authority,” Vince McMahon wasn’t afraid to use his power to influence match outcomes and creative decisions, reminding fans of his authority. Events like the Montreal Screwjob ending Bret Hart’s tenure and Madusa throwing the Women’s title away created tensions between fans and the company. Despite these controversies and bad memories, Vince McMahon also provided fans with unforgettable and sometimes outright ridiculous moments. Sometimes, his in-ring character and role as WWE chairman seemed inseparable, making his in-ring persona quite hilarious. McMahon’s presence added a unique flavor to WWE, leaving a lasting impact on wrestling fans.

Killer Kowalski

Killer Kowalski, a renowned wrestler from the 70s, was a sadistic villain who faced off against Bruno Sammartino and even injured an opponent’s ear. Laughing about the incident at the hospital made him one of the most hated heels in wrestling. During one match, a fan threw a pig’s ear into the ring, adding to the intense reactions from the audience. In another incident, a female fan even stabbed him with a knife. To ensure his safety, police escorts accompanied him to and from the ring. While he’s remembered as a heel, we cannot deny his significant contribution to the kayfabe era of professional wrestling.

Ted Dibiase

Ted Dibiase, a prominent WWF wrestler, earned a reputation as one of the biggest heels in WWE history. Despite his remarkable in-ring skills and achievements, his role as a snobbish, wealthy character made him widely disliked by fans. After using his “Sparking Suit” signature moves to win matches, he took it a step further by placing cash inside his defeated opponents’ mouths, further fueling fan animosity. However, later in his career, Dibiase adopted the gimmick of the “million-dollar man,” a concept Vince McMahon had considered earlier. This transformation added another dimension to his wrestling persona.

Ultimate Warrior

The Ultimate Warrior, who legally changed his name to Warrior, captivated WWE fans but was known for some questionable actions. He became famous during his time with WWE, but many wrestling fans considered him a jerk. At the 1991 Summerslam, he threatened not to appear due to a pay dispute. Additionally, Warrior was often judgmental and didn’t hesitate to criticize others based on his personal opinions. Despite WWE’s efforts to present him as Hulk Hogan’s successor, many fans, especially kids, didn’t believe in the idea. Warrior’s legacy remains complex, with both admiration and criticism from the wrestling community.

Triple H

For years, the WWE executive, led by Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, acted against the fans’ wishes. The Authority, as they were known, used their power to control match outcomes and frustrate wrestlers and fans alike. They prevented Daniel Bryan from becoming WWE champion and promoted Randy Orton as the new face of WWE. They also recruited The Shield to attack anyone who opposed them, creating even more resentment among the WWE universe. It’s worth noting that fans didn’t always dislike Triple H, especially during the Attitude Era. In fact, he was beloved, especially when he was part of DX, a significant institution in pop culture.

Bret Hart

Bret “The Hitman” Hart was a remarkable wrestler and storyteller, shining as one of WWE’s brightest stars. His unique talent lay in pushing both himself and his opponents to greater heights, making him stand out among wrestlers. However, despite his exceptional in-ring skills and mic abilities, Bret Hart’s strong love for his home country sometimes put him at odds with WWE fans. During matches, he would often boast about Canada being superior to the United States, making him a heel in the US and a face in Canada. This patriotic stance added a dynamic element to his character and created mixed reactions from the WWE audience.

JBL

JBL portrayed a rich and egotistical cowboy character in WWE. As a heel, he excelled at making fans despise him during his time in the WWE. JBL’s constant rants and irritating behavior added to the animosity towards his character. While there have been many memorable heels over the years, JBL was one of those wrestlers fans just wanted to see gone from WWE. Unlike Randy Orton, whom fans enjoyed seeing defeated by opponents, including lower-tier wrestlers, JBL was a wrestler fans wished to be fired by the company due to his heel persona.

Roddy Piper

Roddy Piper, like other wrestlers on this list, was a beloved name in the wrestling world, but fans loved to hate him due to his villainous persona. He was not only an icon but also an exceptional mic worker, making audiences despise him. Throughout his career, Piper mastered the art of making fans detest him. He relied on two signature moves, the fingers to the eye and the sleeper hold, which became synonymous with his in-ring style. Despite his limited moveset, Piper’s charisma and ability to play the heel made him a memorable and unforgettable figure in professional wrestling history.

While we may love to despise them during their careers, their contribution to the world of wrestling ensures they will forever be etched in the annals of sports entertainment history. Like this post? Don’t forget to check out our other short stories in our Quick Read section